BILL NUMBER: S1822
SPONSOR: STAVISKY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to establishing enhanced
penalties for threatening to expose a witness or a domestic violence
victim's immigration status
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To ensure that all women in New York State feel safe to report domestic
violence incidents.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Amends the penal law by adding a new section 70.11, providing
that in domestic violence cases, the court may take as an aggravating
factor that an abuser threatened to expose a victim's domestic violence
status.
Section 2. Sets forth the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in
four women is a victim of domestic violence at some point during adult-
hood. The incidence is even more frequent for women in immigrant commu-
nities, particularly those who are undocumented. These undocumented
women live in fear that if they report their abuse, they will be
deported. This bill would ensure that no woman in New York State need
fear ending her abuse. With about 25 percent of women within New York
being affected by domestic violence, it is important to ensure their
safety, regardless of immigration status.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2019-2020: A.5255/S.6045 - Referred to Codes.
2021-2022: A.685/S.4239 - Referred to Codes.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.